State of California Issues New Requirements for Agents, Effective June 30

Per the Free Speech Coalition (FSC), the state of California has issued new regulations. These new regulations will require talent agencies to provide sexual harassment training and mental health resources for their clients. The new regulations will go into effect starting June 30, 2019.

The FSC’s statement is reprinted below and can also be read here.

LOS ANGELES, CA — Beginning June 30, 2019, talent agents in the adult industry will be required to provide educational materials on sexual harassment prevention and eating disorders to performers who work with them. The Labor Commissioner has the right to investigate and inspect agencies, and can assess a fine of $100 for each violation.

“We encourage agencies to contact us, so that we can help guide them through the new regulations, and what they mean for adult businesses,” says Eric Paul Leue, Executive Director of Free Speech Coalition. “The adult industry has been a leader in conversations about consent, and we can help businesses comply with these regulations.”

Free Speech Coalition has approached numerous vendors to help develop material specific to the adult industry. However, no vendor approached has yet been able, willing or interested in creating material specifically for the adult industry.

FSC is compiling educational materials and options to help agencies and other businesses provide educational resources and other training to their employees, contractors and professional contacts.

Any educational materials addressing sexual harassment and and eating disorders must meet the minimum requirements featured below:

Department of Fair Housing and Employment: Sexual Harassment

National Institute of Mental Health: Eating Disorders

“Talent agencies in our industry should be vigilant about providing these materials to their current roster and any new clients,” Leue said. “Given the highly specialized nature of the work, it’s important that we educate performers about their rights, and provide them support for any issues they may face on set.”

You can read more about the requirements on the Department of Industrial Relations Website here, as well as the letter that was sent out by the DIR.